Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Other Staff
Lara Ainley
Contact via lara.ainley@mq.edu.au
Other Staff
Lesley Hughes
Contact via lesley.hughes@mq.edu.au
Unit Convenor
Katherine McClellan
Contact via katherine.mcclellan@mq.edu.au
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
39cp including BIOL208(P)
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit explores the fascinating world of invertebrate animals. The unit starts by briefly outlining the features of the major groups of invertebrate animals (excluding unicellular organisms). Once this is established, we move away from a taxonomic focus to discuss major topics including: mating systems, communication, host-parasite relationships, predator-prey interactions, biological control, climate change, and conservation. These major topics draw on examples from research papers on various groups of invertebrates. This unit is suitable for students who are interested in whole animal biology or biological education, or for students who are interested in further research.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
---|---|---|
Prac tasks completion | 10% | TBA |
Taxonomic Key | 15% | 21/3/2014 |
Spider Poster | 10% | 23/5/2014 |
Scientific Journal Article | 15% | 1/5/2014 or 5/6/2014 |
Mid-term test | 10% | 10/5/2014 |
Final exam | 40% | TBA |
Due: TBA
Weighting: 10%
In class tasks associated with the practicals must be completed and shown to tutors before leaving the labs. Tasks may be assessed in terms of accuracy/correctness and/or completeness. Further details of the tasks will be given in the associated practical classes.
Due: 21/3/2014
Weighting: 15%
Students will develop their own dichotomous / taxonomic key based on lab specimens. Accurate scientific drawings of the organisms along with short (100 words max) descriptions of their natural history will be provided as references for the taxonomic key.
Due: 23/5/2014
Weighting: 10%
Students will prepare and submit Posters designed to effectively communicate their findings to an audience of non-biologists. The content of the posters will be based on the results of a class experiment which tests the intra-specific interactions of leaf curling spiders. Effective posters will consider a boarder ecological perspective than the study organisms by placing the results of the experiments in to both behavioural and ecological contexts. Details and expectations of the report will be provided in class and online.
Due: 1/5/2014 or 5/6/2014
Weighting: 15%
Students will complete a written scientific report (1300-1500 words, excluding references) based on a field-based survey of either terrestrial or aquatic habitats. Invertebrates will be collected from different habitats during class time. Students will be expected to identify the invertebrates collected and report on the diversity found. The report will follow the standard format for a scientific report article, i.e., it will have a short abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results and discussion sections and it will be appropriately referenced. Further details of the assignment requirements will be given in class or online.
Due: 10/5/2014
Weighting: 10%
Due: TBA
Weighting: 40%
A test on knowledge of course content up to and including wk 13.
Timetable
Lecture 1 | Wednesday | 4-5 pm | W5C 320 |
Lecture 2 | Wednesday | 5-6 pm | W5C 320 |
Practical session | Thursdays | 2-5 pm | E8A 160 & 120 |
On campus session 1 | March 8th and 9th | 9-5 pm | E8A 160 & 120 |
On campus session 2 | May 10th and 11th | 9-5 pm | E8A 160 & 120 |
Required unit materials
The work carried out during practical classes is an important and integral part of the course.
You need a practical notebook that you will use to record data and observations from field and laboratory classes. We recommend you use an A4 bound botany notebook (alternating lined and unlined pages). Loose pages are not suitable.
You will need enclosed shoes for every practical class in accordance with standard laboratory safety procedures. Without which you will not be allowed entry to the laboratory.
Recommended readings
We have not nominated a textbook for this course. There are a number of books (also available in the library) that cover various aspects of BIOL316:
Website
Lecture graphics and iLectures will be available on iLearn http://ilearn@mq.edu.au iLearn is a web-based computer mediated communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. iLearn and email will be the principle method of communication in this subject.
We expect you to use iLearn to:
How do you log in? The URL for the iLearn log in page is: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/. You will need to log in to iLearn each time you use it. Your user name is your student number. If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Services Website at http://sss.mq.edu.au/equity/about for information on how to get assistance. If you cannot log in after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact Student IT Help, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 063 191 (outside Sydney).
Timetable
Lecture 1 Wednesday 4-5 pm W5C 320
Lecture 2 Wednesday 5-6 pm W5C 320
Practical sessions Thursday 2-5 pm E8A 160 & 120
On campus session 1 March 8-9th 9-5pm E8A 160
On campus session 2 May 10-11th 9-5pm E8A 160
Lecture topics*
Week |
Date |
Number |
Topic |
Lecturer |
1 |
05/03/14 |
1 |
Introduction |
Kath McClellan |
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05/03/14 |
2 |
Taxonomy and phylogenetics |
Michelle Power |
2 |
12/03/14 |
3 |
Invertebrate diversity I |
Kath McClellan |
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12/03/14 |
4 |
Invertebrate diversity II |
Kath McClellan |
3 |
19/03/14 |
5 |
Invertebrate diversity III |
Kath McClellan |
|
19/03/14 |
6 |
Invertebrate diversity IV |
Kath McClellan |
4 |
26/03/14 |
7 |
Reproduction and mating I |
Mariella Herberstein |
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26/03/14 |
8 |
Reproduction and mating II |
Mariella Herberstein |
5 |
02/04/14 |
9 |
Invertebrate interactions I |
Lara Ainley |
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02/04/14 |
10 |
Invertebrate evolution and radiation |
DVD |
6 |
09/04/14 |
11 |
Invertebrate interactions II |
Lara Ainley |
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09/04/14 |
12 |
Invertebrate Interactions III |
Lara Ainley |
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Mid-semester break |
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7 |
30/04/14 |
13 |
Invertebrate immune responses |
David Raftos |
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30/04/14 |
14 |
Responses to environmental stress |
David Raftos |
8 |
07/05/14 |
15 |
Sociality |
Lesley Hughes |
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07/05/14 |
16 |
Foraging |
Michelle Power |
9 |
14/05/14 |
17 |
Freshwater invertebrates |
Grant Hose |
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14/05/14 |
18 |
Invertebrates as environmental indicators |
Grant Hose |
10 |
21/05/14 |
19 |
Communication I |
Kath McClellan |
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21/05/14 |
20 |
Communication II |
Kath McClellan |
11 |
28/05/14 |
21 |
Invertebrates & climate change |
Lesley Hughes |
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28/05/14 |
22 |
Conservation issues |
Lesley Hughes |
12 |
04/06/14 |
23 |
Biological control |
Phil Taylor |
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04/06/14 |
24 |
Exam outline and revision |
Kath McClellan |
Practical sessions
Session |
Class date |
Activity |
Time* |
1 |
8/3/13 |
Welcome & Phylogenetics |
9 – 11 am |
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Invertebrate diversity I - garden collection |
11 – 2 pm (lunch 12.30-1) |
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Invertebrate diversity II – Taxonomic key |
2 – 5 pm |
1 |
9/3/13 |
Invertebrate diversity III – Pitfall trapping |
9 – 1 pm (lunch 12.30-1) |
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Invertebrate interactions – Herbivory diversity
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1 – 5 pm
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|
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2 |
10/5/13 |
Mid Semester Test |
9 – 10 am |
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Diversity of freshwater invertebrates I & II |
10 – 5 pm (lunch 12.30-1) |
2 |
11/5/13 |
Spider behaviour |
9 – 12 pm (lunch 12.30-1) |
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Earthworm habitat preferences |
1 – 5 pm |
On campus session 1 (March 8-9th): Pracs 1-5: Phylogenetics, Invertebrate Diversity I, II (Taxanomic Key) & III (Written report choice 1), and, Invertebrate interactions
On campus session 2 (May 10-11th): Pracs 6-9, Behavioural interactions of spiders (Spider Poster), Diversity of benthic ecosystems (Written report choice 2), Habitat selection by earthworms, and mid-semester test
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